California Skylights

Skylights are not new nor are the dangers associated with them. Skylights were first conceived by the VELUX founder, Mr. Villum Kann Rasmussen and became increasingly popular in the wake of WWII. (TheBestSkylights.com)  With Europe in ruins, and struggling with shortages in viable commercial and residential space, Mr. Rasmussen's 1942 patented skylights became the perfect solution to allow the conversion of the attic from a storage space to a versatile living and working space because it allowed natural sunlight to enter, which in turn provided light, heat, and quality air to circulate these converted spaces. But the dangers of skylights weren't initially obvious which is why fall protection solutions for them lagged until OSHA established comprehensive regulations in the early 70's. But did you know; that although Federal OSHA standard promulgates skylights to be capable of resisting a 200 pound force in every state, there is but one single state which requires a standard above and beyond Fed/OSHA? Do you know the state?  Of course you do, it's California!  Cal/OSHA requires that skylights be protected with a system capable of supporting 400 pounds of force because as proven by engineers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), as well as many others, there is the potential for a 200 pound worker falling onto a skylight to transmit 400 pounds of force. (NIOSH Skylight Alert) Not surprisingly, the California standard for skylights is used by proactive companies across the nation and we applaud that commitment to employee safety. Since the 80's there has become a heightened awareness of skylight safety. In 1989, NIOSH published their first safety alert titled: Preventing Worker Deaths and Injuries from Falls through Skylights and Roof Opening. This alert, like many others, held a red flag high and wide above skylights, opening up a discussion while becoming a resource for those unfamiliar with the subject. Since the first publication, NIOSH has continued to revised and update their findings. Click the above link and familiarize yourself with the facts because skylight fatalities and injuries can be eliminated. That's a fact. Versatile Systems, Inc. We’re not your average Fall Protection company. We’re Versatile Systems, Inc. Average doesn’t work here.

National Safety Council Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls

Hello Readers,

The National Safety Council is currently promoting education to prevent slips, trips and falls this June. It is a fact that the majority of worker fatalities are over the age of 55 (a concern if we push back the legal retirement age to receive social security) and it's something we as a safety community should acknowledge.

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OSHA Residential Fall Protection Revisions Debate

Hello Readers,

I recently read an article on Finance & Commerce.com about OSHA's residential fall protection revisions: http://bit.ly/CounterArgument

And I couldn't help but completely disagree. I understand the argument made but it's a narrow-minded one.

Synopsis: Brian Johnson, the writer, argued that OSHA's decision to implement such a revision at the beginning of construction's busy summer season will further hinder the struggling industry from bouncing back.

First, it should be said that OSHA has recently invoked a "Phase-In" period to allow companies time to comply, but some states have the "ability to go above and beyond", Johnson states, like Minnesota is choosing to do in this case.

Regardless of the "Phase-In", the initial date was chosen specifically with the "Busy Season" in mind. And it wasn't made with aspirations of twisting the arm of an industry whose hands are already tied back. According to the National Association of Home Builders, between the years 2003-2006, fall related deaths were the most frequent during the summer months; peaking in August with 164. That's 164 deaths in a single month.

Of course this shouldn't be surprising because by it being the "busiest season" for residential construction implies more work and coupled with an increase in work comes an increase in opportunities for mistakes, injuries, and fatalities.

With the aforementioned facts of life, it's easy to understand OSHA's decision to mark early June as the compliance date isn't it...are you beginning to see the picture?

VSI, like many fall protection companies, residential construction companies, and lawmakers applauded the date choice; we all looked forward to quelling August's 164 fall fatality figure. But most importantly we all looked forward to saving lives because we wanted to secure the physical and emotional well-being of our workers and families, secure the physical and emotional well-being of our companies big and small, and secure the physical and emotional well-being of the United States workforce.

Furthermore, the Federal Employers Compensation Act , FECA, "reportedly spent $1.88 billion in wage loss compensation, impairment, and death benefits with an additional $898.1 paid out for medical and rehabilitation services and supplies." http://bit.ly/FECAData

That is nearly 2 billion dollars spent on workers compensation every year. It's blatantly obvious that falls reduce our workforce, reduce our productivity, and increase our debt.

An obvious solution is safety. Investing in safety will protect our employees, families, and companies. It will free funds to be spent elsewhere in this country like education, infrastructure, urbanization etc.

Infrastructure and urbanization...?

Yes, of course infrastructure and urbanization. And those fields don't grow with the click of a mouse from a cozy air conditioned room in a corner office. No. It happens with sweat, smarts and force; prime character traits of the US construction industry. Therefore money saved from the workers comp supports construction projects which in turn supports the growing populace.

That's the big picture. And it's BIG. Safety can and will help bring the construction industry out of its slump. So why not start today.

Most Sincere Gratitude,

The Fall Safety Expert
www.versatilefallprotection.com
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Give us Your VSI June Newsletter Feedback

Hello Dear Readers & Followers,

It's been a great beginning to the summer and VSI is excited about the upcoming months.

Last Friday we sent out our June Newsletter and now we would like you to give us your feedback!

Would did you think? Have anything to add? Any questions, comments, concerns?

Let's start a dialogue about fall protection so we better the field.

Look forward to hearing from you.

VSI
We're not your average fall protection company.
We're Versatile Systems, Inc. Average doesn't work here.

Versatile Systems, Inc. Skylights - Fall Protection Solutions

www.verfallpro.com

Versatile Systems, Inc. Guardrails - Fall Protection Solutions

www.verfallpro.com

5 Fall Proteciton Questions for The Solar Energy Industry

Hello Everyone,

It's the Fall Protection Safety Expert here.

We've recently experienced an increase in solar power companies reaching out to us for help in solving their fall protection needs. No surprise here. We've worked with many companies in the past, e.g. Solar Power Inc., Sunlight and Power, Solar Turbine, etc., and we experienced first hand the WIN-WIN for solar companies and their clientele. More on these benefits later!

What we haven't experienced is sufficient feedback from the community as a whole. We are concerned about the industry and general and maybe more so with the small solar power companies, from the mom and pop run cell installation tandem, to the $1.4 million dollar company run from the side streets of your local suburb.

As the safety expert, I set a goal of individually calling every solar company to get an idea of their understanding of OSHA regulations, to get an understanding of their proactivity, to get an understanding of their safety.

With this in mind, I thought, being the 21st Century, it would also benefit to forward these questions through the socially expansive internet. (makes sense, right?) SO, Let me hear your thoughts!

1. If you work for a solar power company, own one, or are around one, write in and share your thoughts with this growing online fall protection community about your general attitudes towards fall protection...what's the first thing you think of when you hear fall protection safety?
2. Let us know what systems/equipment work for you, what risks you find most prevelent (skylights? - maybe leading edges? )
3.Let us know if complacency is an issue in relation to accepting fall safety? (Old dogs don't like new tricks.)
4. If you've worked with a fall protection company before, share your experience. Was it Good? Bad? Ugly?
5. How satisfied were your clients when you offered to not only install solar power, but also install sufficient fall protection devices to eliminate fall related risks? (I bet they felt like they got a steal with such a deal-many do, and should.)

We're interested in learning from you and improving the quality of care and service to ensure a safer workplace for you, your employees and your company; today, tomorrow, and forever and ever and ever.

We're not your average fall protection company. We're Versatile Systems, Inc. Average doesn't work here.

I look forward to our discussion.

Sincerely,
The Fall Protection Safety Expert
(818) 565-5551
 www.versatilefallprotection.com
www.facebook.com/VersatileSystems
www.twitter.com/VerFallPro